Latching mechanism for portable security container

ABSTRACT

A portable security container generally configured as a clothes hanger and having an improved latching mechanism for securing such container to a closet rod, or other similar permanently installed fixture on a premise, is disclosed. The latching mechanism includes a hooking member and a jaw member which operate in combination to have the container attached to said closet rod, or the like, by having the closet rod clamped between the hooking member and the jaw member. Removal of the container from the closet rod is prevented by having the latching mechanism only able to be manipulated from within the container which may be locked.

[ Dec. 23, 1975 United States Patent [191 Rubinstein LATCHING MECHANISM FOR PORTABLE SECURITY CONTAINER Filed: Dec. 9, 1974 Appl. No.: 531,180

Inventor:

US. Cl. 190/61; 190/41 B Int. Cl. A45C 13/18 Field of Search 190/61, 41 R, 41 B, 41 Z; 223/85 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1894 Pratt 190/61 ll/l96l Glotzer 190/41 B Primary ExaminerWilliam I. Price Assistant ExaminerR. E. Hart [5 7] ABSTRACT A portable security container generally configured as a clothes hanger and having an improved latching mechanism for securing such container to a closet rod, or other similar permanently installed fixture on a premise, is disclosed. The latching mechanism includes a hooking member and a jaw member which operate in combination to have the container attached to said closet rod, or the like, by having the closet rod clamped between the hooking member and the jaw member. Removal of the container from the closet rod is prevented by having the latching mechanism only able to be manipulated from within the container which may be locked.

19 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 3,927,741

LATCI'IING MECHANISM FOR PORTABLE SEOURITY CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention generally relates to portable security containers of the type that are useful for safekeeping the personal possessions of people such as travelers. More specifically, the present invention concerns an improved latching mechanism for such container.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is well known that the safeguarding of valuables by travelers and other transients as well as homeowners presents a problem. Such items as passports, jewelry, currency, traveler checks, and the like, exemplify such valuables. Many hotels and motels, particularly the latter, have no procedure for accepting and securing the valuables of guests. In those instances where hotels or motels have instituted procedures for accepting certain valuables from their guests, the depositing and recovery of such valuables is oftentimes inconvenient and/or time consuming, as those persons who have availed themselves of such services will attest.

Available statistics seem to indicate that thefts from hotel and motel rooms are usually performed by amateurs who somehow have obtained entry to a room. Such thieves may in cases even be employed by the establishment. Although amateurs, the thieves are usually totally familiar with the typical hiding places used by hotel guests in an effort to hide their valuables somewhere within the room. Typical hiding places such as the inside of pockets of suits, locked valises or suitcases, under bedding pillows and/or mattresses, within drawers covered by clothing, etc., are obviously the first places checked by thieves who have abundantly demonstrated their ability to quickly search a room and find whatever is hidden.

The alternative to hiding valuables in a hotel room, where no other means of safekeeping is available, is to continually carry the valuables. As anyone who has been the victim of a pickpocket knows from firsthand experience, carrying valuables is not a totally acceptable solution. For those travelers who venture to the seashore, carrying valuables is totally unsatisfactory if there is a desire to go swimming or become involved in some other physical activity that would require a temporary abandonment of possessions.

There are numerous other analogous situations in which some means for securing ones valuables would be desirable. As an example, vacationers in mobile homes frequently require some means for securing their valuables within the mobile homes. Traveling salesmen who carry items of exceptional value in their cars may also require some means for securing such items within their cars. Similarly, students may require a means for safekeeping valuables in their dormitory rooms and/or in their lockers at school. Likewise, workers in factories may require some means for safekeeping their valuables in their lockers as would persons who frequent golf and/or tennis clubs at which lockers are used to contain their clothing and other valuables. Secretaries and other such persons who may have their personal place of employment within large open offices may require a means for safekeeping their valuables in the course of a day. Finally homeowners may wish to have a means for securing their valuables.

An earlier generation portable security container invented by the Applicant hereof is described in US. Pat. No. 3,858,531 entitled Portable Security Container. A reduction in the number of parts forming the latching mechanism would simplify fabrication thereof and create a savings in the cost of manufacture. Further, concealment of working parts would provide greater security.

It is accordingly the intention of the subject invention to provide a portable security container and an improved latching mechanism that is useable for such portable security containers and which is designed to provide yet greater security, simplicity of fabrication, and savings in manufacturing costs wherein the exterior of the latching mechanism is generally formed to complement the exterior of the storage portion of the container and serves to substantially conceal and protect otherwise exposed inner working parts of the latching mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described, the present invention involves an improved latching mechanism for a portable security container.

More particularly, the latching mechanism includes a hooking member and a jaw member which operate in combination to permit clamping of a closet rod or other similar fixture therebetween. The hooking member essentially involves an elongate arm having a hookshaped portion at one end and a threaded nut-like portion at the other end thereof. A bolt member which extends through the center of the jaw member is adapted to be threaded with the nut-like portion to anchor the hooking member and thereby enable the container to be affixed to a closet rod. The jaw member is formed to substantially surround and thereby conceal the hooking member with a skirt portion.

The objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description which is to be considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference symbols designate like parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective, partially fragmented view of a portable security container in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a frontal cross-sectional view of a latching mechanism in accordance with the present invention wherein the latching mechanism is illustrated in a locked position.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a frontal cross-sectional view of a latching mechanism shown in FIG. 2 wherein the latching mechanism is illustrated in an unlocked position.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a partial top plan view of the main body portion of the container rotated ninety degrees with respect to the latching mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a portable security container in accordance with the present invention may be generally configured to have a main body portion resembling a clothes hanger and a latching mechanism 12.

I combination device and astandard key lock. The combination device may be of the type that must first be placed in a predetermined position before the standard key lock can be operated to unlock the container. In such an arrangement, a spring loaded mechanical detent may be positioned to prohibit turning of the key lock unless the combination device has been set at a proper position.

An electronic alarm system 26 may be employed in conjunction with the subject invention to further the security thereof. Such an alarm system may be of the conventional type. An exemplary alarm system that may be used with the subject invention is disclosed in copending application Ser. Nov 381,871 referred to hereinabove. Briefly, such an alarm system may include a manually operated switch 27 which is operated by being switched to an on position to activate the system. A detector switch or switches may also be employed to sense unauthorized tampering. For example, a mercury switch that would automatically trigger an alarm when the container is tilted beyond a predetermined angle from its upright position may be used. The alarm may be adapted to remain on, once activated, until disarmed from within the container.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the latching mechanism 12 is illustrated in a locked position and an unlocked position, respectively. As shown, the latching mechanism 12 generally includes a hooking member 28 and a jaw member 29 between which a clothes rod 31 or other similar fixture can be clamped to securely affix the subject portable security container thereto.

The hooking member 28 can be formed with an elongate bar having an upper hooked-shaped portion and a lower nut-like portion 32 having interior screw threads. A bolt 34 is extended through an aperture 35 formed through a lower cone-shaped portion 36 of the jaw member 29 as is hereinafter described.

The bolt 34 serves to enable anchoring of the hooking member 28 when a threaded portion 40 of the bolt 34 is inserted through and threadably engaged with the nut-like portion 32 of the hooking member 28 to secure the portable security container to the fixture 31. As shown, the bolt 34 may be formed to have a knurled bolt head 38, a threaded portion 40, and a smooth unthreaded portion 42. The bolt head 38 serves to facilitate manual manipulation of the bolt 34 when being turned to become engaged or disengaged with the nut-like portion 32 of the hooking member 28. The unthreaded portion is used to facilitate quick anchoring of the hooking member 28 by making it unnecessary to thread the entire length of the bolt 34 with the nut-like portion 32. Since the bolt head 33 is within the interior cavity of the container body portion 10, attachment and removal of the container with respect to a fixture 31 requires access to the interior cavity through the door 20.

A cylindrical spring 46 is mounted on the bolt 34 by having the bolt 34 extend through the central longitudina] opening of the spring 46. A suitable end stopper such as a washer 48 used in combination with a conventional C-ring 50 that is seated in a circular slot on the end 52 of the bolt 34 may be used to retain the spring 46 on the bolt 34. The spring 46 serves to maintain the nut-like portion 32 of the hooked member 28 positioned against and in general alignment with, the threaded portion 40 of the bolt 34 to facilitate anchoring of the hooking member 28. Such anchoring may then be accomplished by the turning of the bolt 34 to have the nut-like portion 32 of the hooking member 28 become engaged with the threaded portion of the bolt 34 As shown, the jaw member 29 generally includes an upper skirt-shaped portion 54 from which the lower cone-shaped portion 36 extends downwardly as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The exterior configuration of the upper skirt-shaped portion 54 generally complements and continues the clothes hanger shape of the container 10, as shown by FIG. 1, to have the skirt-shaped portion 54 and the container body walls 18 generally appear to form a continuous external surface. An upper surface 56 of the jaw member 29 is provided with an aperture 58, and a central channel 60. The upper surface 56 of the jaw member 29 may also be provided with a central recession 61 which extends across the width of the jaw member 29. The recession 61 which may be stepped or serrated, as illustrated, is intended to accommodate a fixture 31 of various sizes and to allow the fixture 31 to be more securely sandwiched between the hooking member 28 and the jaw member 29 such that a fixture 31 is unable to be slid out of the latching mechanism once secured. The serrations act as gripping surfaces when the hooking member 28 is tightly anchored to have a fixture 31 clamped between the hooking member 25 and the jaw member 29.

As shown, in FIG. 2, the aperture 58 allows the distal end 62 of the upper hooked-shaped portion 30 to enter and be covered by the jaw member 29. The central channel communicates with the central cavity formed by the skirt-shaped portion 54 which extends through to the aperture 35 in the lower cone-shaped portion 36. The central channel 60 serves to permit movement of the hooking member 28 into and out of the central cavity of the jaw member 29 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. When the hooking member 28 is raised out of the jaw member 29 to allow the upper hook-shaped portion 30 to be readily placed over, or removed from, a fixture 31, the cylindrical spring 46 is compressed as shown in FIG. 3.

The top of the main body portion 10 is formed to have a cone-shaped depression 64 formed in the walls 18 of the container body 10. A bore or opening is provided at the base 66 of said depression 64 which is sized to freely and loosely receive therein the lower coneshaped portion 36 of the jaw member 29 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The end 68 of the lower cone-shaped portion 36 is intended to project through the base 66 when the cone-shaped portion 36 is seated in the depression 64. A conventional C-ring 71 that is seated within a peripheral slot 72 at the lower end 68 of the cone-shaped portion 36 may be used to retain the jaw member 29 seated in the depression 64 and hence operatively connected to the main body portion 10. Having the outer diameter of the cone shaped portion 36 sized to be slightly smaller than corresponding inner diameters of the depression 64 allows the jaw member 29 to be rotated or turned about a vertical axis generally defined by the longitudinal axis of the bolt 34. A washer 74 may be seated on the wall 18 surrounding the depression 64 to cushion the base of the skirtshaped portion 54 of the jaw member 29. Such washer 74 when used may serve to facilitate rotation of the jaw member 29 with respect to the container body and to compensate for variances in machine tolerances. FIG. 4 illustrates the jaw member 29 rotated ninety degrees with respect to the container body 10. Such rotational capability allows auser to turn the container to facilitate its use when opening or closing the door 20 for depositing or withdrawing valuables, and when manipulating the bolt 34 to have the container affixed to, or removed from, a clothes rod, or the like.

It is now clear that the subject invention provides an improved latching mechanism for portable security containers wherein the latching mechanism includes fewer parts so as to be more easily assembled and less expensive to manufacture, and further, which provides greater security by having the inner working parts of the latching mechanism concealed to be less susceptible to tampering.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described hereinabove, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense and that all modifications which fall within the scope and spirit of the invention may be made.

What is claimed is:

1. A latching mechanism for a portable container of the type including an interior cavity that is enclosed by exterior walls and which is accessible through a door hingeably attached to said walls, and a latching mechanism for being afiixed to an external fixture to prevent removal of said container therefrom, said latching mechanism comprising:

means for engaging an external fixture by being draped across said fixture, said means including:

a retractable hooking member for engaging said fixture and including a base ring having an interior threaded portion, and

an anchoring bolt to which said hooking member is movably connected, said bolt including a threaded portion with which said base ring is adapted to be threadably engaged,

jaw means for providing a receiving surface against which said fixture can be clamped by said hooking member, said jaw means having walls forming a central cavity in which said anchoring bolt is seated, said retractable hooking member extending from said central cavity and being partially retractable therefrom, said jaw means having a base portion that is movably attached to said container to permit swiveling thereof with respect to said latching mechanism.

2. The latching mechanism defined by claim 1, said means for engaging an external fixture further including a compressible member mounted on said anchoring bolt for urging contact between said base ring and said threaded portion of said bolt to facilitate said threaded engagement thereof.

3. The latching mechanism defined by claim 2, said compressible member being a coil spring mounted on said bolt to urge contact between said base ring and said threaded portion of said bolt, said spring being compressed as said hooking member is partially retracted from said central cavity of said jaw member.

6. 4. The latching mechanism defined by claim 1, said retractable hooking member being configured as an elongate rod having a first end thereof shaped to form a hook, said base ring being attached at a second end of said elongate rod.

5. The latching mechanismdefined by claim 1, said anchoring bolt further including:

an unthreaded portion at a first end thereof and adjacent said threaded portion; and a bolt head at a second end thereof, said bolt extending through the base of said jaw member to have said bolt head situated in said interior cavity of said container. 6. The latching mechanism defined by claim 1, said jaw means having a top surface integrally connected to said walls, said top surface serving as said receiving surface against which a fixture is clamped, said top surface having: i r i a central channel communicating with said central cavity for permitting said hooking member to be partially retracted therefrom; and

an aperture for receiving a distal end of said hooking member when thebase ring thereof is threadably engaged with said threaded portion of said bolt.

.7. The latching mechanism defined by claim 6, said top surface further having a central depression extending thereacross for receiving said fixture therein.

8. The latching mechanism defined by claim 1, said base portion of said jaw member being configured to form a tubular projection through which said anchoring bolt is extended, said tubular projection being accommodated by a tubular depression in the wall of said container, said jaw member having means for retaining said tubular projection seated in said tubular depression.

9. The latching mechanism defined by claim 8, said retractable hooking member being configured as an elongate rod having a first end thereof shaped to form a hook, said base ring being attached at a second end of said elongate rod.

10. The latching mechanism defined by claim 9, said anchoring bolt further including:

an unthreaded portion at a first end thereof and adjacent said threaded portion; and

a bolt head at a second end thereof, said bolt extending through the base of said jaw member to have said bolt head situated in said interior cavity of said container.

11. The latching mechanism defined by claim 10, said means for engaging an external fixture further including a compressible member mounted on said anchoring bolt for urging contact between said base ring and said threaded portion of said bolt to facilitate said threaded engagement thereof.

12. The latching mechanism defined by claim 11, said jaw means having a top surface integrally connected to said walls, said top surface serving as said receiving surface against which a fixture is clamped, said top surface having:

a central channel communicating with said central cavity for permitting said hooking member to be partially retracted therefrom; and

an aperture for receiving a distal end of said hooking member or when the base ring thereof is threadably engaged with said threaded portion of said bolt.

13. The latching mechanism defined by claim 12, said compressible member being a coil spring mounted on said bolt to urge contact between said base ring and 7 said threaded portion of said bolt, said spring being compressed as said hooking member is partially retracted from said central cavity of said jaw member.

14. The latching mechanism defined by claim 13,

said top surface further having a central depression extending thereacross for receiving said fixture therein 15. A portable container of the type adapted to be temporarily affixed to an external fixture to prevent removal thereof, said container being formed to have exterior walls defining an interior cavity, a door for permitting access to said interior cavity, and a latching mechanism for affixing said container to said external fixture, the improvement being a latching mechanism comprising:

a hooking member and a jaw member between which said fixture is sandwiched to affix said container thereto;

said jaw member having side walls, a base, and an upper face which form a central cavity, said upper face being provided with a channel through which said hooking member is drawn, said base being movably attached to said container wall;

said hooking member being retractably seated within said central cavity of said jaw member, said hooking member including:

a bolt extending through the base of said jaw member and into said interior cavity of said container, and

an elongate rod having a first end thereof shaped to form a hook and extending out of said central 8 cavity, and a second end that is movably connected to 'said bolt. 16. The portable container defined by claim 15, said elongate rod having a base ring at said second end thereof, said base ring having interior threads;

said bolt being extended through said base ring, said bolt having a bolt head at a first end thereof, an unthreaded portion at a second end thereof, and a threaded portion between said ends for being threadably engaged with said base ring to anchor said hooking member.

17. The portable security container defined by claim 16, said hooking member further including compressible means mounted on said bolt for urging contact between said base ring and said threaded portion of said bolt to facilitate threaded engagement thereof.

18. The portable container defined by claim 17, said upper face of said jaw member further having an aperture extending therethrough and communicating with said central cavity, said aperture being positioned to receive said first end of said elongate rod.

19. The portable security container defined by claim 18, said base of said jaw member being formed as a tubular projection, the exterior walls of said container having a portion thereof formed to have seated therein said tubular projection, said jaw member further including means for retaining said tubular projection 

1. A latching mechanism fOr a portable container of the type including an interior cavity that is enclosed by exterior walls and which is accessible through a door hingeably attached to said walls, and a latching mechanism for being affixed to an external fixture to prevent removal of said container therefrom, said latching mechanism comprising: means for engaging an external fixture by being draped across said fixture, said means including: a retractable hooking member for engaging said fixture and including a base ring having an interior threaded portion, and an anchoring bolt to which said hooking member is movably connected, said bolt including a threaded portion with which said base ring is adapted to be threadably engaged, jaw means for providing a receiving surface against which said fixture can be clamped by said hooking member, said jaw means having walls forming a central cavity in which said anchoring bolt is seated, said retractable hooking member extending from said central cavity and being partially retractable therefrom, said jaw means having a base portion that is movably attached to said container to permit swiveling thereof with respect to said latching mechanism.
 2. The latching mechanism defined by claim 1, said means for engaging an external fixture further including a compressible member mounted on said anchoring bolt for urging contact between said base ring and said threaded portion of said bolt to facilitate said threaded engagement thereof.
 3. The latching mechanism defined by claim 2, said compressible member being a coil spring mounted on said bolt to urge contact between said base ring and said threaded portion of said bolt, said spring being compressed as said hooking member is partially retracted from said central cavity of said jaw member.
 4. The latching mechanism defined by claim 1, said retractable hooking member being configured as an elongate rod having a first end thereof shaped to form a hook, said base ring being attached at a second end of said elongate rod.
 5. The latching mechanism defined by claim 1, said anchoring bolt further including: an unthreaded portion at a first end thereof and adjacent said threaded portion; and a bolt head at a second end thereof, said bolt extending through the base of said jaw member to have said bolt head situated in said interior cavity of said container.
 6. The latching mechanism defined by claim 1, said jaw means having a top surface integrally connected to said walls, said top surface serving as said receiving surface against which a fixture is clamped, said top surface having: a central channel communicating with said central cavity for permitting said hooking member to be partially retracted therefrom; and an aperture for receiving a distal end of said hooking member when the base ring thereof is threadably engaged with said threaded portion of said bolt.
 7. The latching mechanism defined by claim 6, said top surface further having a cental depression extending thereacross for receiving said fixture therein.
 8. The latching mechanism defined by claim 1, said base portion of said jaw member being configured to form a tubular projection through which said anchoring bolt is extended, said tubular projection being accommodated by a tubular depression in the wall of said container, said jaw member having means for retaining said tubular projection seated in said tubular depression.
 9. The latching mechanism defined by claim 8, said retractable hooking member being configured as an elongate rod having a first end thereof shaped to form a hook, said base ring being attached at a second end of said elongate rod.
 10. The latching mechanism defined by claim 9, said anchoring bolt further including: an unthreaded portion at a first end thereof and adjacent said threaded portion; and a bolt head at a second end thereof, said bolt extending through the base of said jaw member to have said bolt head situated in said interior cavity of said container.
 11. The latching mechanism defined by claim 10, said means for engaging an external fixture further including a compressible member mounted on said anchoring bolt for urging contact between said base ring and said threaded portion of said bolt to facilitate said threaded engagement thereof.
 12. The latching mechanism defined by claim 11, said jaw means having a top surface integrally connected to said walls, said top surface serving as said receiving surface against which a fixture is clamped, said top surface having: a central channel communicating with said central cavity for permitting said hooking member to be partially retracted therefrom; and an aperture for receiving a distal end of said hooking member or when the base ring thereof is threadably engaged with said threaded portion of said bolt.
 13. The latching mechanism defined by claim 12, said compressible member being a coil spring mounted on said bolt to urge contact between said base ring and said threaded portion of said bolt, said spring being compressed as said hooking member is partially retracted from said central cavity of said jaw member.
 14. The latching mechanism defined by claim 13, said top surface further having a central depression extending thereacross for receiving said fixture therein.
 15. A portable container of the type adapted to be temporarily affixed to an external fixture to prevent removal thereof, said container being formed to have exterior walls defining an interior cavity, a door for permitting access to said interior cavity, and a latching mechanism for affixing said container to said external fixture, the improvement being a latching mechanism comprising: a hooking member and a jaw member between which said fixture is sandwiched to affix said container thereto; said jaw member having side walls, a base, and an upper face which form a central cavity, said upper face being provided with a channel through which said hooking member is drawn, said base being movably attached to said container wall; said hooking member being retractably seated within said central cavity of said jaw member, said hooking member including: a bolt extending through the base of said jaw member and into said interior cavity of said container, and an elongate rod having a first end thereof shaped to form a hook and extending out of said central cavity, and a second end that is movably connected to said bolt.
 16. The portable container defined by claim 15, said elongate rod having a base ring at said second end thereof, said base ring having interior threads; said bolt being extended through said base ring, said bolt having a bolt head at a first end thereof, an unthreaded portion at a second end thereof, and a threaded portion between said ends for being threadably engaged with said base ring to anchor said hooking member.
 17. The portable security container defined by claim 16, said hooking member further including compressible means mounted on said bolt for urging contact between said base ring and said threaded portion of said bolt to facilitate threaded engagement thereof.
 18. The portable container defined by claim 17, said upper face of said jaw member further having an aperture extending therethrough and communicating with said central cavity, said aperture being positioned to receive said first end of said elongate rod.
 19. The portable security container defined by claim 18, said base of said jaw member being formed as a tubular projection, the exterior walls of said container having a portion thereof formed to have seated therein said tubular projection, said jaw member further including means for retaining said tubular projection seated in said exterior wall of said container. 